Thursday, May 29, 2008

I am at my company's annual communications conference this week and we are all talking about how we can be better communicators.

Part of the discussion yesterday was about whether we do enough evaluation of some of our communications efforts. For those of us who have been in PR for awhile we know that this question is always asked right around the time we need to justify next years budget. The answer is almost always, no.

The moderator had a few key questions to think about when building a communications campaign so that upon completion you have answers for evaluation.

Does it improve the company reputation or relationship with customers or the community?

Does it encourage thought leadership?

Of course in addition to this list, management will likely want to know how many press releases were distributed, how many "hits" the Web site received and whether or not s/he was quoted in the Wall Street Journal.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Tim Moore has been hired as a programming supervisor in the interactive and emerging media practice. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Moore worked at Chanhassen-based Young America Corporation as a lead programmer analyst where he managed a team of 10 Web and database programmers. A 2000 graduate of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems.

Brianna Gallett joins Weber Shandwick as an account executive after working at St. Paul-based Kohnstamm Communications for more than two years. While at Kohnstamm, Gallett executed public relations campaigns for food and beverage clients including Nordic Ware's annual Bundts Across America baking contest. She is the latest addition to the consumer marketing practice and will be responsible for media relations activities and event coordination for companies including Verizon, Polaroid and the U.S. Army. Gallett graduated from Winona State University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a minor in marketing.

Tara Tierney has been hired as an assistant account executive in Weber Shandwick's technology practice after interning since late 2007. As an intern, Tierney worked with national and worldwide organizations including Honeywell Building Solutions and the National Marrow Donor Program. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Tierney also interned at Madison Magazine, Wisconsin Angel Network, Madison-based WKOW-TV and Minneapolis-based KARE-TV.

Elissa Dingmann joins Weber Shandwick as an assistant account executive after interning in the corporate community and public affairs practice. During her internship, she provided on-site event support at the Nickelodeon Universe grand opening at the Mall of America. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Dingmann interned with Fairview Health Services in the media relations department. The Buffalo, Minn., native holds a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism and mass communications from the University of St. Thomas.

Rebecca Mitchell joins the financial services practice as an assistant account executive following an internship with the group. As an intern, Mitchell worked for clients including Prudential Retirement, MasterCard, Go Direct, the Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Mint, among others. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Mitchell interned in the marketing department of the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in journalism and received a minor in management from the Carlson School of Management.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Kelley Shoemaker has been named director of operations at Carmichael Lynch Spong and will be based out of the Minneapolis office. Shoemaker, who brings 13 years of experience in the financial field to the agency, will manage financial operations for the 40-plus clients currently doing business with Carmichael Lynch Spong.

Shoemaker comes to Carmichael Lynch Spong with an extensive background involving finance, operations, human resources, management, marketing and sales. She was previously the director of finance and human resources at Ultra Creative in Minneapolis . Prior to that, Shoemaker was a senior financial analyst at the Minneapolis office of Fleishman-Hillard.

“Kelley is an asset to this agency. Her financial management expertise will satisfy our clients’ needs, especially in the areas of estimating, forecasting and accountability,” says Douglas K. Spong, APR, president.

During her tenure at the Minneapolis design firm, Ultra Creative, Shoemaker directed financial and human resources operations, including recruiting and retaining creative talent, developing and implementing systems and procedures and establishing policies for improved efficiency.

While at Fleishman-Hillard, Shoemaker managed the operating budgets and represented the public relations company, from a financial perspective, to its clients. Shoemaker was also accountable for quarterly sales forecasts and operating budget performance.

Shoemaker received her bachelor of science degree from Kaplan University , and a mini-MBA certificate from the University of St. Thomas . She also attended the Carlson Executive Development Center’s Strategic Pricing Program.

Kristen Thistle was promoted to director in the health care group. Thistle is an anchor in the health care practice, co-leading one of the leading professional associations for interventional cardiology, The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. In addition to her client work, Thistle leads the agency’s Employee Action Group and volunteers on the board of the Ronald McDonald House. A native of Wayzata, Minn., Thistle holds a bachelor's degree in speech/communication with summa cum laude honors from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn.

Jackie Dummer has been promoted to account executive in the health care practice group. Dummer specializes in media relations, supporting the American College of Surgeons, Ecolab and a variety of other health care clients. A native of Menomonie, Wis., Dummer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich.

Amanda Huneke has been promoted to account executive in the corporate, community and public affairs practice group. Huneke provides project management support and has played an integral role in the launch of campaigns for clients in the government and defense industry. A native of Zumbrota, Minn., Huneke graduated with a bachelor's degree in mass communication with an emphasis in public relations from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

This is citizen journalism at its finest. Now anyone can download stories, photos and videos on anything and if it is popular enough it will show up on CNN's half-hour iReport television show hosted by award-winning anchor Michael Holmes.

At first glance it seems a lot like YouTube, but it is clear that CNN is working to stay in front of the "user-generated generation." Watch a sample of iReport here.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

During May and June, PRSA is offering new members a free, one-year Chapter membership when they join PRSA National at the regular price. Former members who have been inactive for at least one year also may participate. This offer is not valid for Associate memberships.

The Ad Fed Mentorship Program is designed to allow members to individually interact with potential mentors by meeting them in an informal group setting called a Circle Group. These are held four times a year and offer introductions based on areas of interest. Following each Circle Group Event, Ad Fed facilitates the formal expression of interest between mentees and mentors. Once the pairs yes, it is easy! The mentee and mentor set their own schedule, their own topics and their own meeting forum/location. The rest is a fantastic experience for both the mentor and mentee to heighten the satisfaction they get from their respective careers. Participants can also choose to simply attend quarterly Circle Events where mentorship will happen via group discussions by area of interest.

Thanks to our sponsors Digital People and The Times/Jitters Bar and Café, this event includes free appetizers and one free drink ticket.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Michael Keller from Dairy Queen will share his insights on how to get clients to approve your creative ideas. He will share with us what it took to help DQ begin to modernize by embracing a cutting-edge creative, national TV campaign.

How do you get great creative approved? How do you sell edgy creative?

Come to find out from the guy who said yes.

Michael Keller, chief brand officer, is responsible for the brand, concept and product strategies for International Dairy Queen Corporation (IDQ). Keller began his career with IDQ in 2001. Prior to that, he worked for Jamba Juice, Inc., Realtor.com, Koo Koo Roo, Baskin Robbins USA, Nestle Chocolate Co., and Bain & Co.

Keller graduated from Dartmouth College in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. In 1991, he earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College. Keller and his wife, Laura, have a daughter, Ava, and two sons, Davis and Alden. They have their home in Minneapolis, MN.

In his spare time, Keller currently enjoys serving on nonprofit boards, on the Children's Miracle Network Board of Directors and on the Pacer Center Advisory Board. He also enjoys training for and competing in triathlons, following the New York Giants and Yankees, driving his 1960 Morris Mini, building a tree house and spending as much time as he can with his wife and children.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

The Minneapolis-St. Paul office of Weber Shandwick this week kicked off the second year of a campaign for the National Marrow Donor Program® (NMDP). Weber Shandwick is supporting the organization’s Thanks Mom campaign to recruit bone marrow donors who can provide life-saving transplants.

For thousands of people with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases, a marrow transplant offers a second chance at life. Thanks Mom, which runs May 5 – May 19, urges people to join the National Marrow Donor Program Registry online or in person at drives across the country. This year’s goal is to recruit 46,000 new donors.

To support the project, Weber Shandwick is conducting national media relations as well as local outreach in 20 markets across the country. The agency is also conducting outreach to faith-based community leaders and launching a strong online strategy to direct traffic to www.marrow.org, the NMDP’s Web site.

"We're proud to continue our work with the NMDP," said Sara Gavin, president of Weber Shandwick’s Minneapolis-St. Paul office. "This campaign not only provides our team an opportunity to do unique and creative work, but also to truly impacts thousands of lives."

Last year's highly successful Thanks Mom campaign recruited 43,000 new donors to the Registry, more than double the campaign goal of 20,000. The 2007 campaign has garnered several industry awards including PRWeek’s Healthcare Campaign of the Year, the IABC MN Pinnacle Award and the IABC Gold Quill.

Leap into Spring and energize your network and career with a fabulous networking event at The View in Minneapolis on May 14. Women Launching Women, the networking component of Minnesota Women in Marketing and Communications, has sponsored guest speakers in the past who shared their career success stories. Now it is your opportunity to launch yourself. You have heard about the value of a great network, now is your time to build yours! Bring your business cards and meet other women and make connections. There is no cost for attending - Women Launching Women will sponsor the event and provide appetizers.